Voice Department

Associate Professor Martina Gojčeta Silić – Head of Department

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Since the founding of the Academy of Music in 1921, the Voice Department has continued the tradition of teaching singing, which had begun several decades earlier. After Blagoje Bersa was elected the first Head of Department in September 1922, Milka Trnina was elected an honorary member of the Council. She took up the post of the Department Head after Bersa, which she held for seven years. Over the years, the Department has trained a series of outstanding singers with distinguished international careers such as Zinka Kunc Milanov, Tomislav Neralić, Nada Puttar Gold, Vladimir Ruždjak, Ruža Pospiš Baldani, Dunja Vejzović, Božena Ruk Fočić, Renata Pokupić and more recently Tomislav Lučić, Marko Mimica and Goran Jurić.

ABOUT THE STUDY PROGRAMME

While studying in the Department, students acquire vocal skills and knowledge related to these skills. The music theory subjects Solfeggio, Harmony, Musical Forms and Styles, History of Music and others, and practical disciplines Chamber Music, Piano, Choir and practical courses such as Knowledge of Vocal Literature, Introduction to Dramaturgy and Diction provide students with the foundations for a broad and thorough study programme. Subjects such as Study of Operatic Roles, Operatic Acting and Stage Movement qualify students for stage performance. The obligatory courses in German and Italian, and elective courses in other foreign play an important role in the course of studies.

Among elective subjects, students can choose those subjects and modules that deepen and broaden their knowledge, as well as those that develop new knowledge. Two specialist elective modules are aimed specifically at students in this study programme, Lied and Oratorio and Operetta and Musical, to broaden their knowledge and skills in these areas. The elective Pedagogical module introduces students to theoretical and practical knowledge in music pedagogy.

The study programme is completed after passing all the required exams, writing a thesis, and by giving a public performance (solo recital, opera role, solo performances in oratorio, mass or cantata with orchestral accompaniment).

Students have the opportunity to take part in stage performances of operas and operettas (once or twice a year), in Academy of Music productions or in co-productions with other University of Zagreb arts academies and professional theatres.

COMPETENCES GAINED IN THE STUDY PROGRAMME

After completing the Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate University Study Programme in Voice, Master of Music can work as independent performer: either as soloists and member of chamber ensembles or choirs. They are also qualified to work independently in the fields of culture, education, tourism, festival productions and in the media, and in other related areas. Graduates who have completed the elective Pedagogical module are qualified to work in primary and secondary music schools as teachers of singing.